5 Reasons Why Education Should be a Basic Human Right
Malala Yousafzai once said, “Education is education, and it’s the right of every human being.” This young girl was stripped of her education by a group known as the Taliban. Along with many others, she wasn’t allowed to go to school because she was a girl. When she tried fighting back, Malala was told that her voice didn't matter and was forced to fight for her education.
As I sit in a classroom here in the US, I see kids who have no idea how lucky they are to be able to go to school. Nobody deserves to be denied an education. Education helps us communicate with the world around us. The right to education is acknowledged internationally. However, many countries still enforce strict barriers to education, especially for girls. Learn more about how other countries are taking action here.
There are only a couple of countries that explicitly ban girls' education, but many still make it hard for girls to have access to schooling. Education must be a basic human right — today, I’ll be sharing 5 reasons why.
The Right to Education
The right to education is the idea that everyone should receive an education regardless of their background. Education shouldn’t be treated as a luxury because it's essential. The right to education can create a balanced society. It can give everyone a chance to be whoever they want to be and do what they love.
1. You Don’t Need a Knight in Shining Armor
From the beginning of history, many people have experienced social barriers that keep them away from their hopes and dreams. Although differences are what makes us human, they can also make us feel like we are trapped on an island. An example of this is in the court case: Brown versus Board of Education.
For a long time, students of color were given lower-quality education, solely based on their race. To read more about Brown v.s. Board court case, click on the U.S. National Archives Version of it here. Education is the bridge that takes us from poverty and despair and shows us that we can be whatever we want. That is why education is a right because it gives people opportunities.
2. You Can’t Speak if You Don’t Know How
Did you know over 150 countries and nations claim and protect free speech? I believe that reading and writing are a form of speech. Writers almost always try to convey a message and share their thoughts. Education usually starts with learning how to read and write. When you’re not taught these skills, you’re deprived of two major ways to express yourself.
According to Wikipedia, around 14% of people, globally, aged 15 and older cannot read and write. People who can’t read and write are ineligible for many professions, making it difficult for them to find better opportunities in life
3. Rules To Follow… or Not
How do activists, feminists, and fighters know when to put up a fight and when to stop? How do any of us know what’s wrong and what’s right? Here’s a thought: What do we learn when we go to preschool, nursery, and kindergarten?
When we first enter school as kids, we’re taught about rules. How to behave, how to act, and how to interact with the world. As we get older, we’re taught state and national laws. By knowing the government, we’re able to fight for our rights. The rules and laws we’re educated on, serve as the foundation for all protests and movements.
Like Malala, you can change society by knowing what you want to achieve and understanding what is written on paper.
4. Make A Change That Lasts For Generations
The implementation of education as a human right won’t just affect you and me. Once people start realizing the true value of education, they can turn this idea into reality. The right to education will stay true for generations to come. Let me put it this way— the Declaration of Independence was created a long time ago, and it’s a historical artifact now.
People have never stopped treating America as an independent country even though the declaration was written over 200 years ago. Many important laws were also created decades before us, and they are still used today. So if we implement the right to education now, it will impact everyone in the future. If we leave the state of education as is, who knows if things will improve in the future?
5. Create a Better Life For Yourself
What do you want to be when you grow up? Whatever you wish to be in the future, you have a higher chance of doing that if you have an education. Going to school can help you achieve more and give you a higher chance of success. Let’s say you want to be a graphic designer. You could go to a school that has graphic design as a class to learn more about the profession.
Even if you know how to do well in a certain line of work, when you’re educated you learn how to be more efficient in your work. You can learn how to use technology to give a head start or a boost. Like if you are going to be a teacher, it’s good to know how to teach the subject and how to do so to a certain age group of students. These skills are taught in school. Another thing is if you go to college you learn a ton of life skills to prepare you for adulthood.
Conclusion
You’ve heard enough about education rights. It’s time we start fighting for it. Are you ready to start by making education better for you and your peers? Do you need help studying, completing homework or just want to have more knowledge about a particular subject? Sign up for a free tutoring session, available 24/7 at upchieve.org.